Tube cleaning (locomotive)
Encyclopedia
Tube cleaning is the process whereby the boiler
tubes of steam locomotives are cleaned out, removing soot
and ash in order to ensure the effective generation of the draught for the fire. This was often done with steam lances or compressed air
and accompanied by brushing as required. During the 1930s some UK locomotives were fitted with steam operated tube-cleaning guns, sometimes referred to as anti-carbonisers. It was possible to direct sand, under steam pressure, to any part of the rear tube plate from a lever in the cab.
In Germany too, locomotive sheds often had tube cleaning equipment (Rohrblasgerüst) which was used to blow through the boiler tubes. This tube cleaning, carried out by a steam lance, had to be done once a week. Residue left in the fire and smoke tubes not only reduced the transfer of heat from the hot smoke gases to the water in the boiler, but also accelerated corrosion of the tubes.
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
tubes of steam locomotives are cleaned out, removing soot
Soot
Soot is a general term that refers to impure carbon particles resulting from the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon. It is more properly restricted to the product of the gas-phase combustion process but is commonly extended to include the residual pyrolyzed fuel particles such as cenospheres,...
and ash in order to ensure the effective generation of the draught for the fire. This was often done with steam lances or compressed air
Compressed air
Compressed air is air which is kept under a certain pressure, usually greater than that of the atmosphere. In Europe, 10 percent of all electricity used by industry is used to produce compressed air, amounting to 80 terawatt hours consumption per year....
and accompanied by brushing as required. During the 1930s some UK locomotives were fitted with steam operated tube-cleaning guns, sometimes referred to as anti-carbonisers. It was possible to direct sand, under steam pressure, to any part of the rear tube plate from a lever in the cab.
In Germany too, locomotive sheds often had tube cleaning equipment (Rohrblasgerüst) which was used to blow through the boiler tubes. This tube cleaning, carried out by a steam lance, had to be done once a week. Residue left in the fire and smoke tubes not only reduced the transfer of heat from the hot smoke gases to the water in the boiler, but also accelerated corrosion of the tubes.